# Breach of nuclear-powered submarine's reactor

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breach-of-nuclear-powered-submarines-reactor/390311>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [January 31, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breach-of-nuclear-powered-submarines-reactor/390311 "2007-01-31T19:48:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breach-of-nuclear-powered-submarines-reactor/390311/1 "2007-01-31T19:48:20Z")

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[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_228b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_228b.html)

The Master was perhaps a trifle too dismissive of this concern. I understand that the Navy still checks up on the wreck of the USS _Scorpion_ from time to time; what about the _Thresher_? Was the Russian submarine _Kursk_’s power plant recovered intact? What are the best case/worst case scenarios for a major nuclear submarine mishap? Anything left underwater long enough will eventually break open, I presume - what happens then?